Guest drama critic, Stephen Wells, reviews the acclaimed production of Macbeth, playing now through February 17, at Two River Theater.

It’s understandable that Two River Theater Company in Red Bank is making a big deal out of the well-known Teller (of Penn &…) co-directing its current production of “Macbeth” in collaboration with its imaginative artistic director, Aaron Posner.
What might be misleading is that they’re promoting “Magic Designed by Teller” as well, which suggests an evening of Shakespeare with Houdini-style tricks thrown in, when in fact his use of prestidigitation here is much more subdued and organic to the text, and is hardly the defining characteristic of this Gothic production.
That distinction belongs to the blood – more blood than has likely appeared on a stage in this part of the country since the ill-fated Broadway musical “Carrie” back in 1988, as well as a final blood “effect” that, whether intended or not, serves as an ironic homage to that show.

Like a monarch butterfly emerging from its cocoon, the former non-descript sushi-spot, Michi, has morphed into an elegant dining establishment, Kira Kira. Yet another newcomer to Bloomfield’s restaurant row, Kira Kira offers Japanese specialties. Sushi lovers will be dazzled by the chef’s creations which imitate art.
The presentation of inventive and delicious dishes make them almost too beautiful to eat. We tried the three-course lunch special including miso soup, seaweed and sesame salad, with eel, spicy tuna, yellow tail rolls and tea, for $9.99. Smaller appetites may enjoy the two-roll lunch special for only $7.50, or their vegetarian counterpart, $7.99 and $5.99.We also went a la carte – the Garden Rolls were as spectacular to look at as they were to eat – spicy tuna, mango, avocado, crunchy asparagus, cucumber, radish and tobiko wrapped up like 6 little nori-covered flower pots ($9.99). Equally impressive eye candy, you’ll want to try the Symphony special – a gorgeous timbale layered with lobster salad, spicy tuna, and avocado, capped with a trio of caviar ($10.95), plated on a trio of tasty sauces. The bento box lunch ($7.99 – $12.99) at the next table was also getting raves.
At “Kira Kira,” (which translates Twinkle, Twinkle), the decor is refined and soothing. Sit at the front dining area bedecked with shiny silk cushions and traditional murals, at the sushi bar, or head past the zen fountain into a warm, persimmon colored dining room. Open for lunch and dinner, closed Monday. BYO – beer and sake is easy to pick up at the neighborhood grog shop. 390 Broad Street, Bloomfield. 973 748-0077. — Annette Batson

Rudy Giuliani’s crushing defeat in Florida last night is being called the biggest disaster in Republican party history. Today, he’s expected to announce that his campaign is over, and he’ll shift his support to John McCain, who swept the Florida elections. From CBSNews2:

Sources told Kirtzman that Giuliani is leaving the timing of the announcement up to McCain so that the former mayor’s endorsement can make optimum impact.
Giuliani did not drop out Tuesday night, but he did sound like a beaten man.

Charles Markham Townsend, a high school English teacher in Glen Ridge who felt his life was threatened by a student, filed police reports, sued the school district, and as a result, didn’t show up for work, has lost his job. From The Star Ledger:

“He’s out on workers’ comp leave as a result of job-related post traumatic stress suffered at the hands of this crazed student,” said the teacher’s attorney, Timothy R. Smith. “We’re shocked by the fact that they would move to terminate him at this time under the circumstances.”

This Sunday, at approximately 4:15 p.m., police were called to Montclair High School on a report of a burglary in progress. Upon arrival, police spoke to an employee of the school, who had found an open first floor door minutes earlier. Upon entering the room, he observed a juvenile in the Math Office. The juvenile fled the school when the employee called the police. It appears that the juvenile entered the school by damaging a screen window and then entering an unlocked window. The employee believed that the juvenile was attempting to locate a copy of a test or answer key, as mid-term exams are approaching.
Yesterday, after viewing surveillance footage, police and high school security officers were able to positively identify the student, a 17-year-old. The student was arrested and charged with burglary, criminal trespass, and criminal mischief, then later turned over to his parents.

The planned 550-seat new Montclair school on the site of the former Y and before that a graveyard had to pass another hurdle toward construction when the school district’s lawyers went to court yesterday seeking to get remaining remains moved to Mt. Hebron Cemetery.
From the Star Ledger…

During the dig, archeologists uncovered intact tombstones and fragments just below the surface. Among them was one for Corline Doremus, credited with being the founder of Montclair’s first Sunday School at the Methodist parish, the forerunner of today’s First United Methodist Church on North Fullerton Road.
“His record is on high,” reads the inscription.
Another, which notes the loss of a 2-year-old daughter named Lucy Ann, reads: “No more the pleasant child is seen/To please the Parents eye/This tender plant so lush and green/Is in Eternity.”
The more intact tombstones are in storage with the Cultural Resource Consulting Group, which was hired by the school district for last summer’s dig, said Matthew Tomaso, its senior archeologist.
He said there’s “a plan in place” for a “commemoration of some sort.”
“It is no one’s intention to throw that stuff out,” Tomaso said.

In Treatment, HBO’s newest offering, started off with a psychoanalytic bang last night, as therapist Paul Weston experiences his patient’s full blown erotic transference. So far, it’s getting great reviews, especially for its real feel and play-like quality. I’m officially hooked. Did you watch?

Is Obama inspiring the blogger generation? New Jersey Voter For Obama was started, after a similar California voter showed support for Obama.
Besides getting blog support and the Kennedy nod, there’s also Obama Girl’s personal message to NJ voters at BlueJersey.